Lecce, the province and the city which is its capital, are situated in the Italian region of Puglia, itself located in the south-eastern corner or “heel” of the Boot of Italy. The province of Lecce is the southernmost part of Puglia and most of the area stretches out into the water where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet. Visitors to Lecce are attracted not just by the miles of picturesque coastline and stunning beaches, but also the impressive numbers of historical and other cultural attractions. Indeed, the city of Lecce is home to so many Baroque buildings and monuments that it is often nicknamed “the Florence of the south”.
As with most Italian cities and towns there are dozens of religious buildings, churches and chapels in Lecce, but the most important is the Church of the Holy Cross, built over a period of 400 years and decorated with ornate sculptures of the natural world. Lecce Cathedral is another significant religious building, noteworthy for its 70 metre octagonal bell tower, while the 17th century Church of San Matteo is rumoured to be only partly decorated because a jealous devil killed the sculptor before he could finish his impressive work. Lecce was originally a Roman settlement and all over the city there are ruins reflecting this part of its past. The amphitheatre is the most complete of the Roman buildings, while the archaeological museum contains many of the artefacts found in digs within the city and the surrounding area. If you need a break from all that history, spend a morning exploring the quiet and calm botanical gardens, or take in a football match; Lecce is home to a Serie A team and games are held in the town every other Sunday.
Outside of the city the most visited regions are the two coastlines; the Adriatic and the Ionian. The Adriatic coast is all high cliffs and rocky coves, with few tourist beaches. Here you can visit the medieval fortified town of Otranto, home to a 12th century castle and a beautiful old town where you can buy locally-made artwork and souvenirs. On the Ionian coast, across the peninsula, there are more beaches if you want to spend a day making the most of the climate in this part of Italy. There are also dozens of caves, some of which are perfect for children to explore when they grow tired of the beach, while others are only accessible to divers.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Lecce? Then below is a selection of Apartments in Lecce and villas in Lecce that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
